MONTEBELLO - About 150 supporters and friends attended the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation's celebration of its 50th anniversary Thursday night at its headquarters in Montebello.

Speakers, including MAOF President and CEO Martin Castro and Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, supported the organization's work, especially that of founder Dionicio Morales, on behalf of the greater Latino community in California.

"Fifty years ago today, MAOF founder Dionicio Morales' life-long dream of establishing a human services organization for Mexican American residents in East Los Angeles was realized," Castro said. "This was the result of his many years of activism at the grassroots level, and his fight for social justice for an ethnic group whose needs were largely neglected before the founding of MAOF."

Morales, who died in 2008, was a Latino civil rights leader.

The mission of the non-profit is to provide for the socio-economic betterment of the greater Latino community of California, while preserving the pride, values and heritage of the culture, according to its website.

"One of the most significant experiences in my life, even before I was elected, was to meet and work with one of our all-time great community leaders, Dionicio Morales," Molina said. "We are so fortunate to have learned from his undying persistence and relentless leadership."

Castro told a story that Morales liked to tell about the origins of MAOF.

With $29 in the bank, Morales was encouraged by the board of directors to shut down MAOF, Castro said of how Morales would begin his tale.

"He would pause at this moment, for dramatic effect, and would continue, `There is one thing we haven't tried: we haven't called the President of the United States.'

"Dionicio was unable to get through to President Kennedy but a phone call led to his initial meeting with Vice President Lyndon Johnson, who then arranged a meeting with the Secretary of Labor. This meeting resulted in MAOF's first job training contract for $37,000. The rest, as they say, is history."

Castro thanked Morales' family, especially his widow, Maria, for the sacrifices they endured during the building of the organization, as well as their continued support.

Today, MAOF has 53 facilities in seven counties, employing 650.

They assist 5,000 children and families through subsidized child care services, and operates the largest home-based Headstart Program in the nation.

"Our work is not done and we remain committed to our founder's vision - to provide opportunities to every Latino who seeks them," Castro said. "We hope this evening inspires you to continue on this journey with us."